The England international's current deal runs down in the summer of 2017. Brendan Rodgers is hoping to secure the services of the 20-year-old as quickly as possible as he has been one of the outstanding players for the Merseyside club since breaking into the first team in 2012.

Rodgers saw his side register a 2-0 victory over Southampton in the Premier League clash at St Mary's Stadium on Sunday. Sterling doubled the Reds' lead after Philippe Coutinho's stunning goal in the first minute gave Liverpool an early lead.

The win helped Liverpool move above to sixth place on the table, ahead of Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal are third on the table with 48 points and the next four teams are separated by a point each.

Sterling claims Liverpool's latest victory is vital in their bid to finish the season in the top four and hailed his teammates' display.

"It's a great win for us. We knew we had to come here and do the job and we did that. The boys defended really well and we took our chances when they came," the England forward said.

"You have to win dirty at times and we did that today. That was the most important thing. It's always good to get on the scoresheet and it was especially pleasing that it was the goal that killed the game off.

"We knew we were top four material from the start of the season. Obviously, it didn't go as planned at the start but now we're showing what we can do.

"Credit to the boys, we just keep to need keep performing and keep fighting and then we'll definitely get to where we want to be.

"All the boys are really up for it. Everyone is fighting hard for the team and defending with their lives," Sterling said.